Your Voice Is Magic
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Again Again is the duo of Jennifer Cook and Anne Montone, and together they bring their superb voices into family songs about self-care, respect and identity that embraces pop, folk and World music ideas.
“Signs Up High” opens the listen with warm acoustic guitar and gorgeous vocal harmonies as the pair deliver a very bright anthem, and “Pronoun Party” follows with a fluid and melodic pop delivery that mixes singing and talking as gender identity is discussed in a welcoming way.
In the middle, the ‘80s pop sensibilities of “Better Way To Play” makes for the album’s best, while “FOMO” recruits cultured percussion and plenty of rhythm to a body moving display of diverse song craft.
Close to the end, “Wash Your Hands In March In English And Spanish” displays bounces keys, Spanish singing and very soulful backing vocals to a very sanitary tune, and “Monsters Aren’t Real” exits with a lullaby that’s quite pretty, soothing and kind of spacey, too.
Inspiration for this 2nd family album came from the Nigerian musician William Onyeabor, Laurel Canyon folk, ‘80s rock, George Harrison, Beck, Luscious Jackson, Portugal. The Man, and Heart, to name a few, and it makes for a very charming and inviting listen for the entire family.
Travels well with: Katie Dwyer Music- Let’s Move; Jenn Cleary- Happy Day